Machine for separating shoes and lasts.



E.-|. LA CHAPELLE. MACHINE FOR SEPARAUNG sHoEs AND LASIS.

f'f. f@ Mu/Wa alla nun nu wm inumana l:

E. |I LA CHAPELLE.

MAcHmE FOR SEPARAUNG SHOES Ann LAss.

APPLICATION FILED IULY I7. 1911. Patented June 1l' 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 jizz/B232F02.

mmm nuns mm mamans u c i. l. 'LA CHAPELLE. MAHNE FR SEPARAUNG SHES ANU LASTS.

APPLICATION I1EUJULYY.9Y7.

1 ,269,093. lntunffd J um? 1l, 1918. 4

3 SHEETS--SHET 3.

UNITED STATES PTTENT OFFICE,

EUULID I. LA CHAPELLE, 0F BEGGKTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ILCBINE FOR SEPARATING SHOES AND LASTS.

Application tiled July 17, 1917. Serial No. 181,067.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EUCLID I. LA CHA- PELLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brockton, in the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Machines for Separating Shoes and Lasts, of which the following is a specification.

The last pulling operation (so-called) taking place duringthe process of manufacture, or after the completion of the sh0es,is performed by hand and in the` following manner The last, upon which the shoe has been lasted, being held in inverted position upon a spindle, the workman places his right forearm upon the forepart of the shoe bottom, which is a bearing point for same while he separates, with both hands, the'heel part of the shoe and the heel part of the last and he so continues to bear more or less, according to his strength, upon the forepart of the shoe bottom and he also continues to hold the heel part of the shoe While moving the entire shoe longitudinally of the last to finally separate the forepart of the shoe and the forepart of the last.

Shoes are often damaged at this operation, as this operation to be WellV performed, is firstly dependent upon the strength of the workman and secondly upon his skill and being an arduous operation to perforlnby hand, it is alwa s accompanied by uncertain results and is o ten defective, the heel lining being torn or still more serious damage often results at the forepart of the shoe, as this operation places considerable strain on the vamp, at the instep and at the ball of the shoe, with the result that the vamp or the vamp-seam is often ripped and, moreover, the breaking of the shank so-called often takes place.

The damage to the upper or to its lining or to both at this time, is due to thehfact that, at the time of the lasting operation, the upper, the liningr and the counter have been set very tightly to the lines of the last, as

good lasting practice dictates, so that, the upper back of the b all of the last and notably, the throat part of the vamp or the corners of the quarters of Blucher style shoesV are overstrained and are often torn apart4 at .the time of the separation of the shoe. and

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 11, 191s.

( the last at the ball portion and the lining, overl the counter, is often torn against the last when the heel part of the shoe and the heel part of the last are being se arated.

That objectionable feature of :image to shoes at the last pulling operation ap lies to all kinds of shoes such as Welts, cKays and turns.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine which will overcome the objections noted and enable the operation of separating a last and a shoe mechanically, so the operation may be made easier and so that undue strain on the vamp and on the vampseam, as well as on the heel lining, may be overcome and thus liability of damage to shoes, in the general run of the shoe factory, may be eliminated.

My invention` provides means for compressing a shoe on a last to cause the upper to loosen on the last at the time of the separation of the shoe and the last, particularly at the ball portion and also at the time of the separation of the shoe and the last at the heel portion.

Considering that the bottom of a finished slice, (of a Welt shoe, for example) is resilient and also considering the somewhat rounded transverse shape of the bottom plane surface of a last relatively to the substantially at surface of the sole of a shoe on the last, it is obvious that by moving the sole toward the lastI at or near its edge, or that by compressing the shoe bottom, or the sole, against the last bottom, a certain amount of movement ior resiliencywill result, which will cause the upper to loosen on the last, so that the shoe and the last will then be separated t without damage to the upper. The Widest portion of a last being at the ball, it is the portion that offers mostJ resistance and which tends both'to strain the upper and the vamp-seam at the throat of the vamp at the last pplling operation and I preferabl compress-the Asole at the ball, or near the allgbut I do not, of course, limit myself to compressing at that particu'- lar point, as I may extend the sole com ressing means to the, full length and wi th of the largest shoe forepart ikely to be set in the machine.

I will now explain the embodiment of,

means shown in the accompanying drawings to accomplish the obiect state in which:-

Figure 1 "is .aside elevation, partly in section, of a foot power actuated machine embodying my invention for separating a last and a shoe.

Fig". 2 is a front elevation thereof. I Fig. 3 is a side elevation, illustrating a step 1n the operation.

Fig. 4 is a similar View, illustrating the use in connection with a/last which is not hinged.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of a. shoe 'forepart illustrating the action of the sole coriipressing means.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation ot the machine arranged to be driven by motive) power.

Fig. 7 is a detailed view of a clutch mechanism, which is preferably employed. f,

As shown in the driiwiiigs, the table 1 is mounted on suitable supports and has a jack 2, mounted thereon in uide'ways 3 therein, arranged to slide towa il and from the front of the table, a spring 4 beine' interposed between the jack and the tab e in position, when released, to move the jack to the rear end of the table. 'lhe jack has the usual pivoted last pin or spindle 5, whereby a shoe on a last and the last, may be held and supported and wherebv the shoe and the last may be separated at the toe-end and at the ball or entirely. when the jack L.

is moved from the front of the table` l. und with which i1 lug 6 is integrally toi-uned.

Said last pin being .vieldingly held in upright posltion by a spring?r 7, inirrposed between said lug G and a lui,r o on tho jnek. A pin 9 is` provided. hich is adapted .to he inserted in the lugs 6 and S to lock the hiet pin 5 in upright position, when a hinged ast is used on the jack.

The spring 4 is not. however, 'absolutely necessary` to this invention. after the shoe -and the last have been separated at the ball by other means. When other used to pull the last ott ot' the. shoe at. rtw, ball, I may then. still use the spring l to finally pull the lust ont of the slice. buiwhen the last is pulled oil' at the ball and finally out ot' the shoe, entirely by the said spring 4, as shown in Fig. l, l thru use a comparatively strong Spring and l preferably employ means, suoli as the tri-:idle Q6, whereby the jack may be `moved against the action of said spring.

A cross-head 1t) is mounted on :i pair of vertically disposed, reriprornting side-rods 11which are connected, at theii` lower ends, by e link 12, to a treadle 13. so that the cross-heed may be drawn downward there-l b y and springsi '14 are arranged on` said slde rods, between the table anddzollars 25 on said rods, normally to hold' said rrosshead in raised position. A sole compressing member 15 is pivotully suspended oni'tfhe .tween said member .)U

under side of the cross-head to swing trans* versely thereof, and has its sole engaging portion, preferabl w extending longitu inail)l ot' the cross-head a distance corresponding to the width of the widest portionI of the sole ol' any shoe likely to be placed in the machine and it has also a longitudinally concave underside, conforming to the transverse curvature ot' the sole :it its widest portion, which is at the ball.

The said mei'nber l5, as shown in the drawings holds, at the bull portion, the. shoe bottom toward the last and, to some, extent', overcomes tho straining ot the vamp and of the vamp-.seam against the top of the last at the. instep portion, when the heel portion of the shoe is lifted oil' the last by the operatoi and .the saidipeniber l5 is also helpful in holding` the shank portion ot' the bottom ot' the shoe toward the last, to overcome the breaking ot the .shank by excessive upward movement thereof. I rould. of course, extend thel member lf. so that il. would Contact with and hold thil sole at the shrink portion. nl'trr the lit-rl ol' tho shoe had beon lifted oli' tho last to a .suitable extent.

ThiI sole engaging means, 15, also serves to hold the shoe from movement against theI strain. of the last pulling:r operation. and in view ot' holdinpT the shoe firmly from movement al that time. l muy engage the shotin thi-shank. in the immediate `vicinity ot' the ball portion or lv may extend the sole engaging means. so :is to engage and `hold ilnshoe at the ball portion and farther buch', where the soie is narrower and slants downward below the bottompliine surface ot the lorepnrt of the gag-ing meanwould then be preferably wide enough to engage the extreme Sole edge of the shoe.

A rest lo. ot' rigid material, is ysupported on the upper ends of a pair of vertical rods l?. reriprorally mounted in the table and having' enrirrling' springs 18 therei'in interposed between thi` table and. the underside of the reet iti and normally :uiting to hold said rest in an elevated position. limited by the stop nuts it). on the lower ends oi said rods. .l ),nessing iin-nibrr 2t) is pivotally mounted on the upper side ol the rest ifi. in position to tilt correspondingly with the sole compressing' member 'lo' and the upper side or fare of the member 2U, is longitudinall'gi eonravr and transversely ronvex to roniorni io ihn middle portion or t'ront end of the instep portion ot a shoe on a last. rIliil shoe engaging portion ot' the member JU is preferably rovi-rod with rubber 20. and a pair ol springs 2i are interposed be# and therest 16 at so that, when it is direction, from a middle said springs will tend to ravir `:ide of its pivot. 'tilted in either poslt'ion. one o' covered with rubber,`

shoe andthe sole enreturn it to its middle position. An arm 22 `is rigidly formed on the rest 16 and a screw 23 is mounted in one end of the cross-head 10, in position to en a c said arm in a depressed position o tie cross-head. A stop screw 24: is provided with the rest 1G in position to limit the downward movement thereof by en aging the table. A treadle 226 is connecter to the jack 2 by a liexible conne@ tion Q6', so arranged that when Vthe treadle is depressed the jack will be drawn forwardly. y

The mannerfin which the machine is employed to separate a last and a shoe, is as follows :-`A hinged last, having a shoe thereon, (a welt shoe being herein shown) is placed on the last'pin 5, as shown in Fig. 1, and the jack is then drawn forwardly by depressing the treadle 26, so that the forepart ot' the shoe extends between the members 15 and 20, preparator to being grasped thereby, as indicated by t e dotted position of Fig. 1. In this position, the portion of a shoe forepart adjacent the vamp-seam ol' the shoe, or the vamp-seam itself in mostv cases, rests directly on the lower member 20, engaging the upper at each side of the seam or engaging the seam itself. The treadle 13 is then depressed, causing the upper member 15 to be forced into engagement with the sole, so that downward pressure is applied thereto across its widest portion and, 'particularly to the portion adjacent its edge.- as indicated in full lines in Fig. 5. Before the pressure vis applied to the sole, the tension thereof causes the upper to be drawn tightly about the last. but when the pressure 1s applied to the sole, particularly at its edge orr near its edge. the strain on the 1313er is then soniewhal relieved. as. :in

'dicated in 5,. l 4want it well 'understood as being within the spirit of my invention to separatea shoe and a last during the releasingaction of the compressing means upon the shoe or even after the disengagement ofthe compressing means and the shoe. There are at least two distinct advantages in doing as above explained: the last being held from movement against the heel part ol the shoe during the separation oi' the shoe and the last. at the heel part and friction' ot' the last bottom against the shoe bottoni being also reduced during'the separation of 4the shoe and-the last atthc fore-- part, I

The downward pressure of the cross-head l 10 causes the forepart of the last toA be tilted with relation to the heel part, and preferably at the same time the operatorinay lift up the heel parl of the shoe, so that it may be entirely freed from the last, as indicated in Fig. 3.V4 `The .operalton then releases the jack, permitting it to 'be moved rvarwardl)- by -spring l, so .that the last is thereby finally withdran n from the shoe. The downward movement of the cross-head causes also the bottom plane surface of the heel of the shoe to move, to some extent, away from the bottom plane surface of the heel of the lest.

The stop screw 23, is Very important, as it prevents the application of excessive pressure on the Shoe by the member 20, through the action of the springs 18, as the soleof the shoe is being compressed by the member l5 and more especially, after the last has been separated from the shoe forepart, in view of overcoming the crushin of the shoe by the members 15 and 20. he limiting screw Q3, engages the arm on the rest 16, after the cross-head has been depressed to a certain extent, which is determined by adjustment ot' said screw.

The pressin(r member 20, which also acts as a support lor the forcpart ot' the shoe, is preferablyr employed, although it .is not absolutely necessary to this invention, as a rigidly held last pin may support the entire last, as l'or example, when a last which is not hinged is used. l

'ith a machine as herein shown, haring the member 20. when a shoe is to be removed 4Jioin a last which is not hinged, the pin l) then preferably ren'lored, so that the last pin 3 may swing forward, as indicated in Fic. 4,'

lanstead ol' operating the machine hy foot power, as abone doseriheil. il may he opcrated hy motivo power driven means. as illuslratrd in Figs. o' and T. As' therein shown. a con tant|5 driven shall '2T hasl a nlllev 28 mounted lhorron. and a clutch ineinlicr 2li is splined on sai-.I shall. arranged lo be engaged wilh said drain h t a trradle .mecha-- nisin lllhl'o as to causo said drain lo be rotated with tinI shaft. pair ol. straps 3l and il are arranged lo he wound on said pulley and tln.- strap il is connected io the cross-lu-ad lll, in lla same manner as is the link lil, liel'oro li-scribed. and the strap 32 is ronnrrual io [he iarltv in .such a posi tion lhal a pull Ilma-on will arl lo dran' the jack nach l'roni il.` forward position. ln oporaling (ho nnlrhinc as thus arrangml.

4ihr `inch islpullod Forward hy hand. or by a lool lrraflli- 131. as hcl'orr described. and thon lho lrradh lnoohanisni Il() is actuated.

-rarls connected lhrrr-lo 'will he drawn down inarly-to (hr position ol" ["t'. Ii before there is any pulling rlion on tinJ strap $12, which is then brought into aclion to withdraw the la'st from thc shoe. whihl the lat-ter is com pressi-d. as shown ln Fig. 5. As soon as the las( is thas` freed l' rom the shoe at the ball or fart-hei: bach'. the spring l, will :ict to push the Jack to its estreme rear position.

Vce

The word separate, occurring in the specifications and in the claims, when the context so permits, applies to partly as well as to wholly seliarating. the shoe and the last.

This present invention covers the function of loosening the upper of a shoe on a last to better the longitudinal separation of the shoe and the last and also the separation of the shoe and the last at the heel portion and, as far as l am aware, that function was never before performed by any machine, device, apparatus orimplement. The adaptation of this principle to machines for separating a shoe and a last, is a distinct step in the progress of the art and must be distinguished, because ot' its novelty, principle and importance, from a mere improvement or perfection of what has gone. before. It is a notable fact that a machine for separating a shoe and a last `has not as yet been oii'ered to the trade and the last pulling operation is still performed by hand.

It is not absolutely necessary to this invention to have the sole engaging means, 15, and the shoe upper engaging means, Q0, mounted for swinging movement and the same is true of the last pin, 5.

It is to be noted that, although not of prime importance to this invention, a novel feature resides in the sequence of movements of the sole compressing means 15 and oi the shoe and last separating means 5.

In its most important and novel aspect, however, this invention contemplates the. provision of novel sole engagin means 15, so built and so arranged that lor the first time in machines for separating a shoe and a last the sole of the shoe on the last has been compressed, to cause looseness of the upper of the shoe on the last during the time of the separation of the shoe and the last, Whether at the. separation of the heel part, or of the orepart or of both.

The said novel sole engaging means 15, with additional means, such as the spindle 5, for example, constitute a patentable iny ventlon.

It is a novel and very important feature of this invention to compress the sole of a shoe, during the time that the heel part of the shoe and of the last are being separated, as the upper and the counter of the shoe are thereby somewhat loosened on the last and the operation of separating the `heel of the shoe and of lthe last is thus made easier and reduces the. liability of tearing the lining of the shoe against the-,hach of the last.

The shoe compressin means, 15 and 20, for causing looseness 0% the shoe upper on the last, during the time that the shoe forepart particularly the ball part, and the last are being separated, constitute a novel and.

most important feature of this invention.

The shoe compressing means, 1,5 and Q0,

compressing the shoe during the time that the shoe and the last are being separated at the heel part, also constitute a novel and most important feature of this invention.

Additlonal novel features Will be pointed out in the appended claims.

I do not limit myself to the construction herein shown:- suifice it to say, that claim as Within the scope of my invention and oi this patent, any machine, device, apparatus, tool, implement or thing capable of accomplishing the object stated and embodying any clalm or claims of this patent.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A machine of the character described, having, movable shoe compressing means for loosen-ing the upper of a shoe on a last, comprising sole engaging means and shoe upper engaging means, and limiting means for limitin the relative movement of said sole engaging means and of said shoe upper engaging means.

Q. A machine of the character described, having, shoe compressing means, comprising movable sole engaging means for loosening the upper of a shoe on a last, and additional shoe engaging means to hold the shoe against the strain of said shoe compressing means and limiting means for limiting the movement of said movable sole engaging means relatively to said additional shoe engagmg means.

3. A machine of the character described, having, sole compressing means, substantially as described, for loosening the upper of a shoe on a-last and a spindle for engag ing the last, said sole compressing means and Vsaid spindle being arranged for co operation in separating the shoe and the last, during the .time thatthe upper is loosened on the last by said sole compressing means.

4;. Afmachine of the character described, having, sole compressing means, substantially as described, for loosening `firstly, the upper of a shoe, on a last, a spindle for engaging the last, a movable support for said spindle and actuating means .for moving secondly, said movable support and the last.

5.. A machine of the character described, having, sole compressing means, for loosening the upper ot a shoe on a last, a movable spindle for engaging the last and limiting means for limiting the movement of said movable spindle toward said sole compressing means, during the time` that the upper is oosened on the last by said'sole compressing means.

6. A machine for separating a shoe and a. last, having, movable sole compressingmeans, for' loosening the upper of the shoe on the last, :additional movable last engag ing means positioned at the heel of the last lav anemona last, having, sole engaging means, so built and so arranged that-the sole of the shoe on the last may thereby be conmresscd, at or near its edge, to cause looseness of the upper of the shoe on the last. during the time of the separation of the shoe and the last and additional coperating means for engaging the last at. the heel portion.

9.- A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having, sole compressing means, for loosening the uppr of the shoe on the last,

.shoe and last separating means and actuating means forl said shoe and last separating means, arranged to actnate said shoe and last separating means after the upper of the shoe has been loosened on the last by said sole compressing means, for the purposes described.

10. A machine of'thc character described, having, sole compressing means, substantially as descrila d. for loosening firstly, the upper of a shoe ou a last. last engaging means, a movable support for said last engaging means and actuating means for actuating secondly. said movable support, during the time that the upper is loosened on the last by said sole compressing means.

11. A machine of the character described, having` shoe compressing means, for loosening the upper of a shoe on a last. last engaugingV means. a movable support for said last engaging means. a single. actuating means for actuating said shoe compressing means and said movable support and connections between said shoe compressing means and said single'actuating means and connections between said movable `support and said single-actuating means.

12. A machine of the character described` having. sole compressing means, for loosening the upper of a shot` on a last. and actuating means for said sole compressing means. comprising a clutch and connections, located relatively to said sole compressing means and to said clutch.

13. A machine of `the character described, having, shoe compressing means. for loosening the upper of a shoe. on a last. during the time of the separation of the shoe'and the last. shoe and last separating means.' positioned at the heel part of the last, a single actuating means for al said means, connections positioned relatively to said shoe compressing means and to said single actuating means and connections positioned relatively to said shoe and last separating means and to said single actuating means, said connections being relativelyv timed so that said shoe compressing means ma)T be actuated prior to the actuation of said shoe and last separating means.

14. A machine of the character described, having. sole compressing means, .for loosening firstly. the upper of a shoe on a last, movable `last, engaging means. yielding means for .said movable last engaging means and stopping means for stopping the action of said yielding means.

15. A machine of the character described, having, sole compressing means for loosening the upper of a shoe on a last, last holding means,positioned at the heel part of the last. a movable support for said last holding means and a single actuating means for said sole compressing means and for said movable support.

16. A machine of the character described, having, sole compressing means for loosening the upper of a shoe on a last, last hold ing means. positioned at the heel of the last, a movable support for said last holding means` actuating means for actuating firstly. Asaid sole compressing means and additionalactuating means, for moving secondly, said movable support and the last out of the shoe.

17. A machine of the character described, having, movable sole compressing means for loosening the upper of a shoe on a last and means for returning said movable sole compressing means to normal position after its compressing movement upon the shoe.

18. A machine of thtl character described, having, sole compressing means for loosening the upper of a shoe on a last, actuating means for said .sole compressing means and means for, returning said sole compressing means to normal position after its actuation b v said actuating means.

19. A machine of the character described, having. sole engaging means for loosening the upper ofa shoe on a last. and shoe upper engaging means, a spindle for engaging the last, a movable support for said spindle and actuating means for said movable 'support.

20. A. machine of the character described, having. movable sole compressing means for loosening the upper of a shoe on a last, and arranged for movement against the. shoe on the last and limitin means, for limiting the movement of said movable sole compressing means against the shoe.

21. A machine of the character described, having. `sole compressing means, substantially as described, means for Separating a shoe and a last and actuating means for said means, timed to operate relatively to said sole compressing means, so that said means for separating a shoe and a last, will be thereby actuated at a predetermined time.

A machine of the character described, having, sole compressing means for loosening the upper of a shoe on a last, darin the a last. during the time of the separation of the shoe and lhc last.

24. A machine of thc :haracter described, having, sole compressing means for looseningr lirstlv. thc upper of a shoe on the forepart of a l; st` and means for longitudinally sepa rating secmnlly, the shoe and the last, during the time that the upper is loosened on thc last blv said sole compressing means.

Q5. .i machine ofthe character described, having` the elements recited in claim 245 and movingnnans-for moving firstly, said sole compressing means and moving means for moving secondly. said means for separating the shoe and the last.

2li. A machm` ot' the character described, having. solo ctnnprcssing means for looseningT the nppcr of a shoe on the forepart of a laste movable last engaging means and moving means, under the control of the opcrator, for moving said movable last. engaging means and the last out of the shoe, during the time that the upper is loosened on the forcpart of the last by said sole compressing means.'

2T. machine of the character described, having. sole compressing means for loosenin; r the upper of a shoe on the forepart of a last and last engaging means. arranged to `engage thc last indcpenlrently of the shoe,

upper, for holding the. last; and the Shoe relatively to said sole compressing means and arranged for longitudinally separating the shoe and the last.

A machine of the character described, ha ving.` the elements recited in claim 27 and springs for supporting said sole compressing means.

Qt). A machine of the character described, having; the." elements recited in claim 27 and a spring for supporting said last engaging means.

30. A machine of the character described, having, lsole cmnpressingr means for loosening tirstly, the upper of a shoe on a last,

movable last engaging means. arranged to Vengage the last independentl)v of the shoe upper and arranged to .separatethe last and the shoe and actuating means f/or said movable last engaging,"`means, comprising a clutch and connections positioned relatively to said'movable last engaging means and to said clutch for separating secondly, the shoe and the last.

3l. A machine of the character descrlr'laetii` ha ving, sole compressin means arran for positively loosening t e upper of a s .e on a last. and last engaging means, arran ed to engage the last independently of the s oe upper and arranged to support the last and the shoe. during the time of the compression of said sole compressing means upon the shoe and during the time that the shoe and thelast are being sepa ated at: the heel portion.

A machine of the character described, having, movable shoe compressing means, for loosening the upper of a shoe on a last, during the time of the separation of the shoe and the last, movable last engagin means, arranged to engage the last indepen ently of the shoe upper and arranged to separate the shoe and the last, a single actuating means for said movable shoe compressing means and for said movable last engaging means, moving means for movin said movable last: engaging means relative y to said movable shoe compressing means.v in one direction of .itsrmovemenn and additional moving means for moving sai .i movable last engaging means relatively `o said movable shoe compressing means, in the opposite direction of its movement. i

33. A machine of the, character described, having` shoe compressing means 15, for loosening the upper o f a shoe on a last, durin the, time of the separation of the shoe an the last, movable shoe engaging means Q0, to support the shoe relatively to said shoe compressing meansand springs 18, to move said movable shoe engaging means and the shoe therein)v engaged toward said shoe compressing means.

34. A machine for separating a shoe and a. last, having, sole compressing means for loosening the upper of the shoe on the last, and shoe and last separating means for longitudinall)v separatin the s ioe and the last.

35. A machine of tie character described, having, movable shoe compressing means for loosening the upper ot a shoe on alast. during the time ofV the separation of the shoe and the last and limiting means for limiting the movement of said movable shoe compressing means against, the shoe, atten the complete, separation of the forepart ot' the shoe and th?l last, to overcome' over-comd pression up`on the shoe by said movable shoe,

compressing means.

3G. A machine of the character described, having. shoe compressing nieans, comprising. sole engaging means 15. and upper cngagxng means Q0, and a spindle 5, to hold xiao a last. and a shoe relatively to said sole engaging means and to said upper engaging means.

3T. A machine of the character described, having, shoe and last separating means. positioned at the heel part of a shoe on a last for longitudinalhv separatingV the shoe and the last and shoe 4enga,f ring means, so built and so arranged thatI the sole of the shoe on the lastma)y he thereby compressed, for causing looseness of the upper o"l thc shoe on the last, durin the time that the shoe and the last are being separated by said Ishoe and last selmrating means.

39. A machine of the character described. having. `shoe compressing means. for loosening firstly. the upper of a shoe on a last, last holding means and a .support for said last holding means, arranged for movement relatively to said shoe compressing means, so that the last may he therebyr moved out ot' the shoe. during the time that the upper is loosened on the las( by said shoe compressing means.

39. A machine of the character described. having. movable sole compressing 1neans.for loosening the upper of a shoe on a last` last engaging means, a movable support forysai'd last engaging means, moving means for movingr said movable sole compressing means and additional moving means for moving said movable support..

40. A machine for separating a shoe'and a last. having. movable. shoe and last separating means for loosening the upper of the shoe on the last. sole compressing means and actuating means for actuatin Y said sole compressingr means independent v of said movable shocand last separating means.

41. A machine for separat-ing a shoe and a last, having, sole compressing means for loosening the upper of the shoeon thc last. and additional movable coperating last engaging means. positioned at the heel of the last, and actuating means for actuating said sole compressing means independentbrv of said additional movable coperating means. v

4'2. A machine for separating a shoe and a last. having, movable sole compressing means for loosening the upper of the shoe on the last. actuating meaps for said movable sole compressing and adjusting means to predetermine thtiinimount of move.- ment of said movable sole compressing means toward the shoe for overcoming the crushing of the shoe thereby after the longitudinal separation of the shoe and the last.

43. A machine of thecharacterdescribed, having, movable sole compressing means, actuating means for said movable sole compressing means, connections between said movable sole compressing means and said actuating means, for actuating said movable sole compressing meansv toward the shoe for loosening the upper of the shoe on the-last and movable last holding means, positioned at the heel part of the last.

4-1. A machine for separating a Shoe and a last. having. sole compressing means for loosening the upper of the shoe on the last, last holding means, positioned at the heel part of the last and actuating means for s aid sole compressing means, said actuating means being so arranged that the solo ot' the shoe on the last may be thereby positively compressed to canse looseness of the upper of Ithe shoe on the last, for the purposes described.

43. A machine of the character described, having` movable sole com ressing means for looseningr the upper of a s ioe on a last, movable cooperating `shoe engaging means, positioned at the foi'epart of the shoe, for holdingthc last and the. shoe against the strain of .said sohcompressing means and a, spring for returning said movable coperating shoe engaging means to normal position after the termination of its operation.

4o. machine of the character described, having, the elements recited in claim 45 and means for returning said movable sole compressing means to normal position after the termination of its operation.

47.* A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having, sole compressing means, arranged for movement with the shoe under compression of said sole com ressing means, movable. holding means for olding the last` and the shoe against the strain of the compression ot said sole compressing means, and shoe and last separating means, positioncd at the heel part of the last, for separating the shoe and the last.

48. A. machine ot' the character described, ha ving, movable sole compressing means for loosening the upper of a shoe on a last, movable shoe and last. separating means, actuating means for said movable sole compressing means and moving means for said movable shoe and last. separating means.

49. A machine of the character described, ha ving, movable sole compressing means..4 and movable shoe and last sopa rating means. said movable sole compressing means and said movable shoe and lastse arating mea-ns being arranged for indepen entmovement to permit, sequence of movement of said movable means.

50. A machine of the character described, having. movable sole compressing means for loosening the upper of a shoe on a last and a movable spin le for separating a shoe and a last. said means being arranged for independe-nt movement to permit sequence of movement of said movable solo compressing means and of saidinovable Spindle,

51, A machine for se arating a shoe and a last, having, movab e sole compressing means Vfor loosening the upper of the shoe over compression upon the shoe by said sole compress means.

66. A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having, movable last engagin means, posltioned at the heel of the last, or mov- 1n the last out of the shoe and coperating so e compressing means for loosening the upper of the shoe on the last during the last moving action of said movable last engaging f and cooperating last engaging means, posi- 67. A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having, sole compressing means for loosening the upper of the shoe on the last and last engaging means, positioned at the heel of the last and arranged for a variety of movements for properly holding the last relatively to said sole compressing means and for moving the last out of the shoe.

68. A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having, sole compressing means, arranged for :avariet of movements for` properly engaging the s oe and for loosening the upper of the shoe on the last and last engaging means, positioned at the heel of the last for moving the last out of the shoe.

69. A` machine for separating a shoe and `a last, having, sole compressing means for loosening the upper of t e shoe on the last, actuating means for said sole com ressing `means and means, positioned relatively to said sole compressing means, for limiting the actuation of said actuating means.

70. A machine for separating a'shoe and a last, having, movable sole compressing means for loosemng the upper of the shoe on thel last and a plurality of limitin means, positioned relatively to said mova le sole compressing means, for limiting the operative movement of said movable sole compressing means at predetermined times.

71. A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having,` sole compressing means for looseninV the upper of the shoe on thelast, last hol ing means, positioned at the forepart of thcflast, and additional last holdin means, positioned at the heel of the last, sai sole compressing means and, all "said" last holding means being arrangedlfor coperat0nmeans for loosening the upper of the shoe on the last, last holdin means, arranged for cooperation with sai movable sole com pressing means during the time of the separation ofthe shoe and the last and means for returning said movable sole compressing means to operative position after its sole compressing action upon the shoe.

73. A machine for separating a shoe" and a last, having, movable sole compressing means and non-movable means, positioned 'relatively to saidy movable sole compressing means, for guiding said movable sole oompressing means to cause positive loosening 4 72. A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having, movable sole compressing of the upper of the shoe on the last b ysaid movable sole compressing means an holding# means, #arranged *for 7'c'operla on with s aid movable sole compressing. iiiears during the time of the separation of the shoe and the last.

74,. A machine for separating a shoe and afl-ast, having, sole compressing means for loosening the upper of 'the shoe on the last for separating the shoe and the last longi tudinall durlng the time that the upper is loosene on the last by said sole compressy 1n means $6. A machine for separating a shoe and a last having, last supporting means, positioned at the heel of the last, sole compressing means for loosening the upper of the shoe on the last, said lastsupporting means and said sole compressing means being relatively positioned, so as to permit the separation o the heel of the shoe and the heel of the last during the upper loosening action of said sole compressing means and last supporting means, positioned at the forepart of the last for supporting the last against the strain of the compression of said sole compressing means upon the shoe.

77. A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having, last engaging/means, posin tioned at the heel of the last and movable sole compressing means for loosening the upper of the shoe on the last and limitingL means, positioned relatively to said movable sole compressing means and arranged for movement therewith for limiting the amount of compression upon the shoe by said movable sole compressing means.

78. A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having, last engaging means, positioned at the heel of the last, and movable sole compressing means for loosening the` upper of the shoe on the last and limiting means, positioned relatively to said movable sole compressing means for limiting.y

means for loosening theupper of the shoe n on the last and movable last holding means, positioned at the heel of the last, all said means being arranged for cooperation durs. ing the time of the loosening of the upperl means, arran on the last by said movable sole in means.

O. A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having, movable sole compressing means arranged to positively loosen the upper of the shoe on t e last prior to the start of the separation of the. shoe' and the last, last holding means, positioned at the heel of the last, and means for positively moving said movable sole compressing means.

81. A machine for selparating a shoe and a last,having, `movab e sole compressing means, arran ed to positively compress the 4sole of the s oe on the last to better the longitudinal separation of the shoe and the last, last holding means, positioned at the heel of the last, and means for positively moving said movable sole compressing compress 82. A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having, a single movable shoe engaging means for loosening the upper ofthe shoe on the last and a sin le movable last engaging means, positione at the heel of the last and arranged for cooperation with said single movable shoe engaging means.

83. A machine for separatin a shoe and a last, having, movable means or engaging the sole of the shoe and cooperating movable means for engaging the upper of the shoe forcompressing the shoe to loosen the upper on the last, limiting means for limiting the relative movement of said movable means and additional limiting means for determinin the extent of movement of all said mova le means.

84.l A machine for se arating a shoe and a last, having, mova le shoe engaging ed to engage the sole of the arranged to positivel comof the shoe against t e last e shoe on the last, movable shoe enshoe only an press the sole to loosen the upper of t actuating means for said Vga means so arranged that said movabimsoe en gin means mav be thereby positively ac uate and last holding means,

` positioned at the heel of the last.

'sli 85. A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having, sole compressing means and actuating means therefor, arranged to positively actuate said sole compressing means to positively compress the sole of the shoe on the last and shoe and last separating means, positioned at the heel of the last. y 86. A machine for separating a shoe and elast having, sole enga ing means, positioned" at the' forepart o the shoe on the and arran ed to positively compress the sole of the soe on the last, co eiating 0e upper engagin means, positioned at the forepart of the s oe on the last and shoe and last separating means, positioned at the heel of thefl'ast.

.87. A j e for separating a sli'oe and a last, having, .means for loosening the upv a last, having Lampes per of the shoe on the last rior to the start ofdthe separatioi of the siioe and the last an coperatin ast en a 'n means osiiioned ai 'the hei of nig it? p 88. A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having, means for loosening the forepart of the upper of the shoe on the forepart of the last prior to and durin the time of the longitudinal separation o the shoe and the last and cooperating `last engagging means, positioned at the heel of the 89. A machinefor separating a shoe and a last, having, means for loosening the forepart of the upper of the shoe on the forepart of the last, to better the longitudinal separation of the shoe and the last and shoe and last separating means, positioned at the heel of the last.-

90. A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having, last holding means, positioned at the heel of the last, sole compressing means for looseningA the upper of the shoe4 on the last and actuating means for said sole compressing means, arranged to cause said sole compressin means to maintain uniform upper loosening action during the separation of the shoe and the last at the heel part and duriii the separation of the shoe and the last at t e forepart.

91. A machine for separating a'shoe and a last, havin last holding means, positioned at the eel of the last, and sole compressing means for loosenin the u per of the shoe on the last durin t e longitudinal separation of the shoe an the last and arranged to hold the shoe against the strain inci ent tp the longitudinal separation of the shoe and the last.

92. A machine for separating a shoe and -a rlast, having, last holding means, positioned at the eel'of the last and sole compressing means, arranged to positively compress the sole of the shoe on the last during the separation of the shoe and the last.

93. A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having," last holding means, positioned at the heel of the last, and sole com pressing means, of the shoe at or near the ball line for loosening the upper of the shoe of the last to better t e longitudinal separation of the shoe and the las 94. A machine for separating a shoe and sole compressing means for loosening the upper of the shoe on the last to better the separat-ion of. the shoe and the last .and arranged to on the last during the separation of the shoe and the last at the heel part, to hold the last from movement' within the shoe, and "arranged to release its overcompressing action upon the shoe, to permit movement of the last within the shoe at the separation of the shoe and the last -at the forearranged to engage the sole overcompress the shoe p 1,m,oos

part and shoe and last separating means, positioned at the heel of the last and arrfnlnged to move the last from Within the s oe.

95. A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having, sole compressing means for loosening the upper of the shoe on the last to better the separation of the shoe and the last and shoe and lastseparating means, positioned at the heel of the last and arranged to separate the shoe and the last during the time ofthe releasing action of said sole compressing means "upon the shoe.

96. A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having, sole compressing means for loosening the upper of the shoe on the last to better the separation of the shoe and the last and shoe and last separating means, positioned at the heel of the last and arranged to sep-.irate the shoe and the last after the start of the releasing action of said sole compressingl means upon the shoe.

97. A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having, sole compressing means for loosening the upper of the shoe on the last to better the separation of the shoe and the last and shoe and last separating means,

positioned at the heel of the last and arranged to separate the shoe and the last after the disengagement of said sole compressing'means and the shoe.

98. A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having last holding means, positioned at the heel of the last and sole compressing means for loosening the upper of the shoe on the last and constructed and arranged to engage and compress the marginal side portions of the sole, substantially on the arc of a circle, to loosen the upper of the shoe on the last.

99. A machine for separating a shoe and a last, having, sole compressing means and actuating means for said sole compressing means, mounted for non yielding action in forcing said sole com ressing means against the shoe to positive y compress the sole of the shoe on the last.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of a subscribing Witness.

EUCLID I. LA CHAPELLE.

Witness H. B. Dsvis.

Uollu o! tml pat-ent may be obtained for Ive centi each, by addressing the commissioner at Punti, Wnllllol, D. 0. 

